How the title was won: a season of domination for Rhos United
If you finish top of the league you deserve to be champions.
Sometimes, a team can win a title helped by a few slices of luck, but there are also those sides who dominate from day one and are the undisputed kings.
Rhos United fall into the second category.
From the first kick of the season, they have been driven and focused on landing the North Wales Coast East Division One crown.
You cannot achieve your aim more emphatically than doing it without a single defeat and that’s been the case with Rhos – played 21 Won 19 Drawn 2 Lost 0 Goals For 100 Goals Against 11.
Last summer the club signalled its intentions early by signing some top talent, all proven at tier 5 level.
Goalkeeper Richard Hillier-Evans, midfielder Richard Hill and goal-getter Adam Williams all signed from 2023-24 Division One champions Bow FC.
They were soon followed by the dynamic Lewis Sealey, who returned to the club where he had previously carved out a reputation as an upfront dazzler.
As well as the new faces. Rhos already had the basis of a great squad including the likes of Tom Brady, Chris King, Adam Noble, Jordan Dixon, Tom Edgley, Billy Bibby, Bret Durkan, Stephen Bibby, Scott Court and Phemmy Allison.
The addition of proven goal machine Mike Chapman would also prove to be a masterstroke.
Rhos kicked off 2024-25 with five straight wins, followed by a 1-1 draw at Llysfaen.
Another six victories ensued, before a hard-fought 2-2 outcome at one of their chief challengers Prestatyn Sports.
Those were the last points United were to drop – seven more wins on the bounce, conceding just one goal in the process, carried the red and blacks to the title with three fixtures to spare.
While Sealey and Williams, 21 and 20 goals respectively, have led the way in the netting stakes, Chapman has added a crucial 15, Court 10 and Allison and King 8 apiece.
Although 100 goals in 21 matches is a standout stat, perhaps even more astonishing is the fact keeper Hillier-Evans has conceded a miserly 11 goals in those 21 games – including 14 clean sheets.
Even the real Pink Panther (Richard’s affectionate nickname due to his kit) would have struggled to match that.
Rhos United have not only won the league title, they are also into the final of the REM Jones Cup where the challenge of Saturday’s opponents Penrhyn Bay awaits.
Who would bet against the champions making it a double?
HOW THE 2024-25 DIVISION ONE TITLE WAS WON
Aug 10: Blue Bridge (a) 9-0
Aug 13: Penrhyn Bay (a) 3-0
Aug 17: CPD Henllan (h) 1-0
Aug 24: Rhyl Albion (h) 3-1
Aug 31: Llandudno Swifts (h) 3-2
Sep 7: Llysfaen (a) 1-1
Sep 21: Prestatyn Sports (h) 7-2
Oct 5: Penrhyn Bay (h) 6-0
Nov 2: Blue Bridge (h) 12-0
Nov 16: Llysfaen (h) 6-0
Nov 30: Rhyl Albion (a) 6-0
Jan 4: Llandudno Swifts (a) 4-2
Jan 18: CPD Henllan (a) 4-0
Jan 25: Prestatyn Sports (a) 2-2
Feb 1: Blue Bridge (a) 3-0
Feb 8: Prestatyn Wanderers (h) 8-0
Feb 15: Prestatyn Wanderers (a) 7-0
Feb 22: CPD Henllan (h) 5-0
Mar 1: Prestatyn Sports (h) 3-0
Mar 15: Llysfaen (a) 3-0
Mar 29: Penrhyn Bay (a) 4-1